Dear clients,

we know that it is sometimes difficult to find your way around the news about coronavirus, so we bring you a coronavirus update in which we focus on current and upcoming things, which in our opinion you will want to be aware of.

WHAT IS CURRENTLY VALID?

Prolongation of state of emergency

The state of emergency was prolongated by Government Resolution No. 485 until 17 May 2020.

Release of the regime from 11 May 2020

Since Monday it is possible to open:

- all establishments in shopping centers over 5,000 m2 (excluding catering services);

- establishments over 2,500 m2 (in which operation has not been prohibited);

- catering establishments with sales through the dispensing window / in the form of gardens;

- museums, galleries and other similar facilities;

- barber, hairdresser, manicure, pedicure, massage, beauty services;

- theater, music, film and other artistic performances;

- group events (outdoor and indoor) for up to 100 people.

Extension of Antivirus program

The government has approved the extension of the Targeted Antivirus Employment Support Program until 31 May 2020. This extension also applies to agreements that have already been concluded under this program and it is therefore not necessary to conclude amendments to the agreements.

At the same time, the 4th version of the employer's manual for this program has already been published.

Commuters

Currently, the regulation concerning commuters is literally changing from day to day, so we recommend following the website of the Ministry of the Interior, which provides the most up-to-date information.

From 11 May (00:00) for commuters - ie cross-border workers who cross the border of neighboring states for the purpose of performing work, the following applies:

• it is not necessary to enter the mandatory quarantine and report to the Regional Hygiene Station, if at the first entry into the territory of the Czech Republic he submits a certificate of completion of a PCR test (swab test) and a certificate of cross-border employment;

• the test can also be taken within 72 hours in the Czech Republic, if the person reports to the Regional Hygiene Station;

x this regime is even freer for non-residents (EU citizen, Czech citizen residing outside the Czech Republic) - they can submit a test even after 72 hours in the Czech Republic without having to report to the Regional Hygiene Station until the next border crossing.

For example, a cross-border worker (from Poland / Austria / Slovakia / Germany) will arrive on 11 May - if he submits confirmation of passing the PCR test immediately - he will be "activated" for 30 days x if he goes to work every day - he must submit the test no later than 14. May (ie until 72 hours) x if he runs on Monday-Friday (weekend at home) - crosses the limit until 18 May - he can therefore submit the test until 18 May (if he crosses the limit again) (the condition of 72 hours does not apply).

• in case of subsequent crossing of the border into the Czech Republic after 30 days, it is always necessary to submit a new confirmation of the PCR test;

• in the event that the commuter does not submit a confirmation of the PRC test, he must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine by decision of the Regional Hygiene Station;

• commuters are restricted in their free movement within the Czech Republic for a period of 14 days from each entry;

• potvrzení / confirmation of the test must always be max. 4 days old upon submission (the test is performed at commuter's own expense);

Regardless of the Czech legislation, however, it is still necessary to monitor the current regulations of neighboring states, which may differ and in fact make it impossible / difficult to access our territory.

Foreigners

Newly, with effect from 11 May (00:00), seasonal employees (third-country nationals *) are allowed to enter subject to certain conditions.

* Only those third-country nationals who can be issued a visa can enter the territory of the Czech Republic on the basis of an application at the embassies of the Czech Republic in their home states, whose measures taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic allow for management actions to be taken.

Furthermore, in addition to truck drivers, bus drivers, airline crews, train drivers and train crews can also leave and return to the Czech Republic - it can therefore be assumed that it will be possible to travel outside the Czech Republic with these means of transport.

However, with regard to the restrictions of neighboring states (and transit states), so far travel abroad / arrival of people from abroad remains rather a theoretical possibility.

Nursing benefit newly at 80 %

With effect from 1 April 2020 (i.e., with retroactive effect), the nursing benefit was increased from the original 60 % of the daily assessment base to 80 % of the daily assessment base. The law also allows the so-called "conciliators" to draw this benefit if they participate in health insurance. However, an agreement (DPP or DPČ) with such an employee had to have been concluded before 11 March 2020.

IT IS PREPARING AND WE ARE WATCHING IT FOR YOU

Below we also bring you an overview of news that has not yet been accepted in final form, but is worth knowing about. After their adoption, we will of course prepare a final comprehensive summary for you.

Contribution for partners of Ltd

The Senate will discuss an amendment to the Compensation Bonus Act, which newly stipulates the possibility of applying for a contribution for partners of limited liability companies if the company could not fully or partially carry out normal gainful activity due to health threats or crisis measures and other specific conditions.

Social security premiums and a contribution to state employment policy

The Chamber of Deputies will discuss the government's bill on social security premiums and contributions to the state employment policy paid by employers as taxpayers, in connection with coronavirus. According to the proposal, employers could postpone insurance payments for May, June and July and would only pay premiums paid for employees from gross wages. Such deferred payments would have to be made by 20 October 2020. Such payment would reduce the penalty by 80%.

WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS

Rents - and what about them?

B U S I N E S S M E N

At present, in the event that the lease of an apartment or house satisfies the tenant's housing needs or is a lease of business premises, it is not possible under specific conditions, until 31 December 2020, to terminate the lease by the landlord due to late payment of rent in the period from 12 March 2020 to 31 July 2020. However, the rent due must be paid by 31 December 2020. However, extension of rent maturity is not automatic in any of the cases, but the tenant must justify reason of the delay. In the event that the rent due is not paid by 31 December 2020, it is possible to give notice in the case of renting the apartment without notice period and in the case of a business lease with a 5-day notice period. At the same time, the other rights of the lessor in connection with the rent due do not expire.

There is also a new plan prepared by the Ministry of Industry and Trade - "COVID RENT" - so far the specific conditions that have yet to be approved by the government are not clear, however, there is talk of the possibility of 50 % rent payment by the state, provided that the entrepreneur negotiates with the landlord a period of rent reduction by 30 %.